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ottolion4

Audi Q2 Transmission Issues: Rough Shifts and TCM Trouble

Having trouble with my 2016 Audi Q2 diesel automatic transmission. The gear shifts feel rough and inconsistent, almost like the gearbox is slipping between changes. The traction control warning light came on and the car seems to be stuck in a reduced power mode. The gear selector sometimes feels unresponsive too. Has anyone dealt with similar symptoms? Looking to understand what repairs were needed and rough cost estimates before heading to a workshop. The torque converter could be involved but the control module might also be the culprit. Would appreciate hearing about successful fixes and repair experiences.

4 comment(s)

karen_hartmann3

I had a very similar issue with my 2014 Audi Q3 diesel. With some experience working on cars, I can tell you this sounds familiar. The symptoms you describe match what I experienced, rough shifting, limp mode activation, and warning lights. The fault turned out to be related to communication errors between the ABS system and transmission control module. When I took it to the workshop, diagnostic testing revealed several fault codes pointing to the ABS system. The interesting part was that the transmission issues were actually secondary problems, the torque converter was functioning properly, but receiving incorrect signals. The fix was surprisingly simple and cost nothing since it just required clearing the fault codes and performing a control module reset. However, you should get this checked soon as these symptoms could indicate more serious issues if left unaddressed. Before offering more specific advice, could you share: Current mileage, Any recent repairs or maintenance, If any other warning lights are active, Whether the issues occur more when the engine is cold or warm, If you have access to diagnostic tools to read fault codes Getting this information would help determine if your situation matches what I experienced or if you might be dealing with a different underlying issue.

ottolion4 (Author)

Last service was 2 months ago at 32047 KM. The issue started happening more frequently after that point. While the limp home mode activates out of nowhere, I noticed it occurs mainly during highway driving. The gear selector becomes totally unresponsive when this happens, and I need to pull over and restart the car. The workshop didnt find any stored fault codes during the service, which makes diagnosing the root cause more challenging. The traction control light stays on longer each time this occurs.

karen_hartmann3

Thanks for the additional details. On my Q3, I initially thought the transfer case limp mode activation was unusual too, but there was actually a pattern during higher-speed driving, just like you're experiencing. The fact that your issues started after the service is noteworthy. In my case, the diagnostic trouble codes would sometimes clear themselves after a restart, which made diagnosis tricky. The traction control light behavior you describe matches exactly what I dealt with, staying on for progressively longer periods. The gear selector becoming unresponsive suggests the transmission control module might be misinterpreting signals from the vehicle stability systems. This can trigger a safety protocol where the torque converter locks up, leading to the symptoms you describe. Have you noticed if the problems are less frequent when driving in manual mode using the gear selector? This was a telling diagnostic point with my Q3, the issues occurred less when manually selecting gears. A specialized transmission diagnostic scan might reveal intermittent fault codes that standard service equipment missed. My repair ultimately required a transmission control module software update, which resolved both the limp mode and gear selector issues. The total repair cost was around 450 Euro including diagnostics. Would recommend getting this checked soon, as continuing to drive with these symptoms could potentially lead to more extensive transmission damage.

ottolion4 (Author)

Thank you both for the insights. After hearing about the software update fix, I scheduled an appointment for next week. The manual gear selection actually does make a difference, the transmission behaves more predictably when I use it. The limp home mode activated twice more since my last post, both times at highway speeds just as mentioned. The traction control warning appeared again this morning, but cleared itself after a restart. The transmission control module theory makes sense given how the car responds. Good to hear the fix might not require major mechanical work. Will request they check for intermittent fault codes and perform a full diagnostic scan. The 450 Euro cost estimate helps set expectations for the repair. Will update once I get the results from the workshop.

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